Abstract:
New exhibits and old favorites enliven the expo at the largest industrial hygiene gathering of the year

AIHce 2009: Discover the Expo

Fairfax, VA | Posted on April 8th, 2009

Each year, the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) showcases the latest and greatest products, technologies, and services offered in the occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) profession and provides an opportunity for those in the industry to network and generate new ideas. The 2009 AIHce, May 30-June 4, in Toronto will be no exception. As promised by the conference theme, "Discoveries Beyond Borders," attendees are sure to discover an assortment of new and innovative features at the Expo.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) cosponsor AIHce.

The Expo kicks off with an opening cocktail reception on Monday, June 1, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Exhibits can be viewed on Monday, June 1, between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, June 2, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and Wednesday, June 3, between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Conferencegoers can map out a schedule of exhibit booths to visit before they get to Toronto. Visit the AIHce 2009 Virtual Expo at www.aiha.org/expo2009.htm for a complete list of exhibitors and a view of the exposition hall.

Additional exhibits, such as the Green Pavilion and the expanded Mock Drug Lab, offer members new resources. The Expo will also feature staples like cyber cafés and message centers, as well as restaurant areas and lounges. Expo attendees can participate in daily drawings for prizes including complimentary registration to AIHce 2010 in Denver. Both AIHA and ACGIH® will have publications, information on volunteer opportunities, member benefits, and more on hand.

More Green Initiatives

AIHce 2009 has expanded its green initiatives concept by adding two new features to the Expo: the Green Pavilion and a specially designed display of a green building. The Green Pavilion will feature companies that manufacture products made of recycled materials or materials that can be recycled; offer goods, services, or processes that reduce carbon footprint; or have zero emissions. Volunteers collaborated on constructing the first-ever green building to be displayed at AIHce. An Interactive Green Building Display: From Blueprint to Footprint gives examples and images of how a green building is designed—from the role of the architect to the site itself—and maintained so that it remains green. The exhibit will also demonstrate how lighting, water, and energy-saving measures and indoor air quality factor into the building's construction.

Expanded Mock Drug Lab

A variety of information detailing how officials are handling different types of clandestine drugs labs will be available at this year's exhibit. The mock labs will include marijuana grow and oil extraction operations and other types of synthesis drug manufacturing, including methamphetamine, ecstasy, and Rohypnol, commonly known as the "date rape" drug. Also on display will be the Municipal Health and Safety Association's Marijuana Grow Operation and Clandestine Drug Lab Trailer, a fully operational, walk-through exhibit of both a marijuana grow operation as well as a realistic meth lab. Local first responders on the front lines of the drug war are invited to attend the mock drug labs to learn how to better protect themselves when investigating suspected lab sites. Also invited are the members of the Ontario Provincial Advisory Group Task Forces for marijuana grow operations and clandestine drug laboratories. Industrial hygienists and a wide range of other professionals who deal with marijuana grow operations and clandestine drug labs will be on hand to provide advice to others who assess health and safety risks, inspect, and remediate properties that were used as lab sites.

Luncheon Discussions

Luncheon discussions will be offered again this year, with fresh topics from student local sections, NIOSH, and AIHA volunteer groups. The discussions will be held each day of the Expo from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. On Monday, June 1, student local sections will discuss topics on CIH certification, volunteering, and networking with AIHA local sections and volunteer groups; nanotechnology; and other issues relevant to young professionals in the field. NIOSH will host talks on Tuesday, June 2, regarding the Prevention through Design (PtD) National Initiative, respirator certification, and responses to the Direct Reading Exposure Assessment Methods (D.R.E.A.M.) Workshop, which NIOSH hosted this past November. In addition to discussing these and other emerging topics, attendees can interact with various leaders of NIOSH. Representatives from several AIHA volunteer groups will discuss new trends, projects and up-and-coming issues in the profession on Wednesday, June 3. Seating for each luncheon is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Don't Miss Out

Last year's Expo was a success, with 39 percent of surveyed attendees saying they attended AIHce just for the Expo. Participants can earn up to 6.5 CM points by choosing from over 200 weekend professional development courses and weekday technical sessions. This is just the beginning of what Toronto has to offer.

Make sure your passport and papers are up-to-date.

Online registration is still open. The deadline to register and receive the extended early-bird rate is April 30. Conference attendees can avoid the lines at on-site registration by registering at www.aihce2009.org. In today's economy, OEHS professionals need to stay up-to-date on current topics and trends. No matter where they are in their career, AIHce will help them take the next step.

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About American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 10,460 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government, and academia.